Suspect Involved in Pursuit Arrested for Leaving the Scene of Multiple Accidents and Other Charges

On June 12, 2019, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Enforcement Unit was conducting routine traffic enforcement with the Colorado State Patrol in the area of Hwy 24 on Ute Pass. At approximately 9:51 AM, a traffic stop was initiated with a vehicle that was observed to be speeding, weaving and cutting across multiple lanes of traffic. The driver failed to pull over and continued westbound on Ute Pass at a high rate of speed striking a utility trailer being towed by a pick-up truck.

A few minutes later, the driver struck a Hwy divider causing the vehicle to lose control and come to rest facing eastbound on westbound Hwy 24. The driver sped off again heading westbound on Hwy 24. Another attempt was made by law enforcement to initiate a traffic stop, when the driver side-swiped an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office unmarked vehicle and then turned around and headed eastbound on Hwy 24. A pursuit was initiated by law enforcement. The pursuit ended in a two-vehicle accident at eastbound Hwy 24/21st St, when the driver crashed into a vehicle uninvolved in the pursuit.

The driver fled the scene on foot along Fountain Creek. The Colorado Springs Police Department set up containment in the area and utilized a K9 and drone to attempt to locate the driver. After about 45 minutes of searching, the driver was located and detained by the Colorado Springs Police Department. The driver was identified as Christopher James Allen, DOB: 12/08/69. He was arrested by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office on multiple outstanding felony warrants and faces additional charges of Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft, Felony Eluding, DUID, multiple counts of Reckless Endangerment, Leaving the Scene of multiple accidents, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Wear a Seatbelt. A mug shot of Allen is attached to this media release.

There was no injury to law enforcement and one civilian sustained an injury and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Colorado Springs Police Department, Manitou Springs Police Department, and Colorado State Patrol for their assistance and continued support.

Additionally, if you were traveling westbound Highway 24 around 0950 hours near Cave of the Winds and were pulling a utility trailer carrying equipment; the Sheriff’s Office would like you to inspect your trailer for damage or red paint transfer which could be the result of being hit by the suspect.